"Since the first concerts in 1996, the annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival—founded by the late Dr. Billy Taylor (1921-2010), Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz—has showcased the world's most respected and accomplished female jazz artists, from the well known to the young and up-and-coming.

For these musicians, Mary Lou Williams has served as their inspiration to leave their mark on every aspect of jazz, just as she did. Dubbed the 'First Lady of Jazz Piano,' she wrote music for Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington, performed with Ben Webster and Lester Young, and was a mentor to Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and many others. As a pianist, composer, arranger, teacher, mentor, and humanitarian, Williams defied gender, race, and category with her inexhaustible gifts.

Mary Lou Williams once said, 'If we are to make progress in modern music, we must be willing and able to open our minds to new ideas and developments.' The Kennedy Center invites you to join us in paying homage to America's original art form, both past and present. Each evening features three unique sets of remarkable female jazz musicians performing with their own ensembles. These jazz pioneers keep the spirit of Mary Lou Williams alive!"

http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/jazz/womeninjazz/